Archive for the ‘church planting’ Category

The biased reporting of the media: The media reported about the killing of Hindu Sanyasi – Swami Lakshmanand and his disciples variously as follows:

Bhubaneswar (Orissa): In a sensational incident[1] Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his close aids have been killed in a grenade attack by the suspected Maoists at around 9 PM at Jalaspotta Ashram, in Tumudi Bandh area in the tribal dominated district of Kandhamal in Southern Orissa on Saturday night.

Kandhamal (Orissa): In the wake of widespread violence in Orissa, the National Commission of Minorities (NCM) on Tuesday sought a comprehensive report from the State Government over the fresh violence in the communally-sensitive tribal dominated Kandhamal following the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati[2]. “NCM has sought entire details of the episode and asked the Naveen Patnaik led Government to explain how the problem started,” NCM Chairman Md Shafi Qureshi said in a statement[3].

Killed along with Swami are Hindus: On August 23rd night, the celebrations were going on the eve of Krishna’s birth day just like Christmas. at Laxmananda’s kanyashram at Tumudibandh, about 100 km from Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhmal district. The killed were as follows, though not revealed by the media:

Swami Lakshmanananda.

Two inmates of the ashram – ladies, one has been Sanyasi.

Two devotees.

A group of nearly 30 armed came in vehicles and they reportedly thrown a grenade and also started firing with AK-47. While confirming the attack, police sources said the attackers used automatic weapons and bombs[4]. Thus, such a group of men could not have come all of sudden and therefore, the attack has been evidently planned one in eliminating the Swamiji.

I acknowledge for using these photos only for the purpose of pointing out that the media has been suppressing the facts of the suffering of Hindus in Secular India. Though it has been against all law, norms, code etc., the national and international media and other agencies have been doing .

The Police enquiry appears to be slacking and directionless: The media reports thatOrissa police are yet to start a thorough inquiry that will lead them to the 30-odd assailants. In the last four days, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced the setting up of a judicial inquiry commission to unravel the truth and sent two police IGs and two DIGs to Kandhamal. On Tuesday (26-08-2008), he sent an investigation team, headed by Crime Branch SP Yatindra Koyal, to Kandhamal to hunt down the killers. On Saturday night (23-08-2008) when Lakshmanananda Saraswati was killed, Orissa Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda didn’t wait for a full inquiry before making a statement that Maoists were behind the incident. “From the automatic weapons used it looks like the handiwork of Maoists,” he said. But four days after the incident, the state Government has nothing to prove this claim though two persons were detained on the suspicion that they could have had a role in the killing. On Wednesday (27-08-2008), Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Manmohan Praharaj sought to play down the Maoist angle and said the police were keeping all the options open. “Whatever evidence we have got is consistent with the Maoist stamp in the kind of operation they undertake. The assailants had left a note written on the letterhead of Vamsadhara Zonal Committee, signed by one Azad[5], and it is consistent with the Maoist methods,” said Praharaj. While the Chief Minister claimed that intensive raids and intelligence-based combing operations were being undertaken to apprehend the culprits, police admitted that the probe was heading nowhere. “We have interrogated people but had to let them go after finding little evidence,” said Praharaj. The Maoist theory has been junked by Sangh Parivar outfits, who accuse the local Christians to be the killers. “Someone had decided at some point of time that Lakshmanananda Saraswati had to be killed,” said a VHP leader.

Hindu-Christian clashes: The media, both national and international local and Catholic has been unanimous that the clashes had been between Hindus and Christians. Then, how is that the killed Hindus are not mentioned in the media? The over-enthusiastic Christian media grossly misinterprets the fact that a nun was burned alive, though the victim has been a Hindu woman only[6]. The woman, Rajani Majhi, was a Hindu and a student of Padampur Women’s College in Bargarh district, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (northern range) Y B Khurania. Her biological father Laxmi Prasad Mahakud and foster father Guchu Majhi are both Hindus. They are residents of Nuapada village under Jharbandh police jurisdiction in the district[7]. Again, the national and international print and electronic media have been publishing pictures / photos, as if only Christians have been attacked, affected and so on. The attacked, suffered and affected Hindus are totally suppressed.

It is not national shame, but shame for secularism, as it has been against Hindus: No doubt, Dr. Manmohan Sigh has been a well-learned person, but his utterance that the Orissa incidences have been “national shame” has been shame to his stature. That is why the international and national stooges have been emboldened enough to publish, print and blare whatever they want without any basis[8]. Thus, the pro-Christian, Christian and anti-Hindu media have been so happy to make his utterance[9] headlines!

50,000 schools will remain closed today!:Manmohan Singh said to a high level delegation of Christian leaders who met him on Thursday evening that the ongoing violence in Orissa is a “national shame”. To protest the attack on the Christian community, nearly 50,000 schools and institutions run by Christian organisations across the country will remain closed across the country on Friday[10]. A peaceful protest rally outside the Orissa Bhavan is planned on Friday. Several peaceful rallies are also expected to be held at various other places. The CRPF, which has been deployed in trouble-torn Orissa, is making all efforts to bring back the violence-affected families who have fled their homes for forests fearing attack from right-wing groups.

The Christians all the way to meet PM and others! Alarmed with the ongoing attacks on the Christian community, the seven member delegation, including two archbishops and a bishop, demanded that central para military forces be deployed in the affected areas to prevent reoccurrence of violence. They also asked for a CBI inquiry in the matter. The vice-president of National Council of Churches of India, Sushma Ramaswami, who was part of the delegation said, “The PM repeatedly said that the chief minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik, and the governor, have failed in their duty. He said that he would immediately call them and remind them of their constitutional responsibility to ensure the protection of all citizens.” Ms Ramaswami also said the Prime Minister assured the delegation that immediate financial relief would be provided to the families of those who lost their kin and to those who have been injured. All Christian organisation, including the Catholics Bishop Conference of India (CBCI), National Christian Council and Evangelical Fellowship of India have come under the National United Christian Forum to protest the violence aimed at the community. CBCI spokesperson Babu Joseph, who was a part of the delegation, said, “This is only the second time after 1998 when an all India call for closure of Christian institutions have been given. In 1998, it was due to the attacks in Dangs in Gujarat, but this is at a much larger scale and several lives have been lost.” Ms Sushma said they also asked the PM to ensure that at least the local Christian leaders be allowed to visit the local areas to reassure the people and take stock of the situation. The delegation submitted a memorandum which listed 26 people who lost their lives, 41 churches, four convents and five hostels which were destroyed, over 250 houses damaged and seven institutions attacked.

Hindu leaders do not care: What would have happened, if Hindu leaders tried to meet PM? It has not happened and therefore, the question does not arise. But, still, the learned PM and others do not bother as to why the Swami and four other Hindus were killed? Who killed? And why they were killed? But they go on sidetrack the issue of “Christians being attacked” and so on, even not bothering about the Hindus attacked.

Catholic burial vault in Chennai: As it is Residential area, Body exhumed and buried again in burial grounds!

One more Christian burial right in Residential area in Chennai: Six months after unearthing an unauthorised home for disposal of dead bodies in Salavakkam, Kancheepuram district, a similar case has come to light near Pallavaram, on Wednesday. 26-12-2018. Remember the story of a mysterious hospice near Chengalpet that hit the headlines earlier this year for burying the bodies of its inmates inside the campus? Same is the case here at a church in Pozhichalur, but with a Slight twist. What changed a silent narrow lane into a crowded Ranganathan Street-like, is this St Alphonsa Syro Malabar Catholic Church and the mystery of a ‘body’ buried inside it[1]. The news was first taken to the public last night by a resident here, who belonged to a Hindu group and as the information started spreading across this tightly-packed residential area, it shocked them to the core[2]. Within minutes, it eventually hit the social media and a huge bunch of people marched here overnight. Soon, the police stepped in, raided the place and retrieved a body that was buried inside a chamber in a concrete cemetery in the church. Then they buried it at the Pozhichalur burial ground, after completing legal formalities.

Why the Tamil and Malayali Christians have separate burials and practices?: Still, the social media posts claimed that there were more than seven corpses buried inside the campus. Adding to this, it was also said that more chambers were found inside a room in the church. Following this, News Today visited the spot this morning to find out what has really happened. “This is a Malayalam Roman Catholic church. We are also Roman Catholics, but Tamils. We all used to go for a common church before two years. But, some of their (Keralites) customs differ from us. So they bought a land here and built this church. One of their main practices is, burying the dead bodies in a cemetery that is built inside the church premises. This custom is followed widely in Kerala. The Catholics want more space in India to be filled with tombs, as they want to aggressively show off their presence by all means. In Kerala, if it were prue theology, here, linguistic fanaticism to whip up passion dividing people.

The concrete burial vaults – licensed or not: Even in Tamilnadu, they do this in areas like Thoothukudi,” said Kannan, a resident here. He further said, “Following the same, this church members too built the chambers to bury the body of its members. They also claimed that they have applied for license, to make the process legal. The Christians always tell these tales. Even the bone-Thomas of Salavakkam also told but, every thing has been forgotten now, But, before they got the approval, one of the members, a 75-year-old man Lonappan, originally from Kerala, who resided at Pammal with his family, was dead. So, expecting that they would get the license soon, they buried this man here, a week back. The body was kept inside a box and a cement memorial cemetery was built around it.”

Body exhumed and burried again in burial grounds: “However, the police demolished it completely and recovered the body. As it was just a week back, the body was not in a bad condition,” he stated. Other residents showed their strong opposition towards this activity. “This is a pure residential area and we don’t want these kinds of activities here. The government should never grant the license. Such activities are strictly condemned,” said an angry resident, G Mohanasundaram. Speaking to News Today, Shankar Nagar Inspector of Police (Crime) Bhooma Devi, said[3], “we visited the spot after the complaint and recovered a body. Revenue officials are set to conduct an inspection at the church today. Investigations are on.” This incident has brought in much chaos overnight and many residents who spoke to this reporter stressed that they would not allow a cemetery setup in their neighbourhood[4]. Police have launched a hunt of Jose, chairman, and Geo, reverend of the Church. Sankar Nagar police registered case and have launched a hunt for the chairman and father of the church[5].The locals filed a representation with Kancheepuram collector P. Ponniah. On his direction, a team led by tahsildar and Tambaram RDO, rushed to the church on Wednesday evening. Sankar Nagar police provided security cover to the team[6]. But, even if that Jose is tracked and taken for questioning, will the Police could proceed further?

Cremation or Burial – the Western discussion: The Indian Christian should listen to Pope and accept cremation. When the Pope lifted the ban on cremation in 1963, why they continue in India even in 2018, even after 56 years? The Christian west has already discussed and decided the issue and many Christians have started for cremation. Cremation is usually considered cheap and cost-effective, between $700 and $2000. = Rs. Rs. 4900/- and 15,000/- Burial cost is $ 10,000 = Rs.7,00,000/- in foreign countries with other service fees, transportations, grave plot caskets and headstones[7]. Not to mention, staff usage, hearse, preparation of the body and embalming.. It is environmental friendly and saves space. Cremations take no space and in contrary, burials demand new land after each generation passes away. But, cremation does not allow another organism to feed on the body or produce and thus the circle of life is being broken, it means it is environmental unfriendly[8]. So if the Indian Christians are still afford to continue burial, definitely, something has been there, then, the bone-Thomas too have suspicious activities, as has been exposed by the media, but, now suppressed.

How cremation accepted in Christianity?[9]: The practice of cremation dates back to ancient times, but after Christianity was introduced, cremation in Christian countries was stopped because it was seen as a sacrilegious act towards Christians and God. However, in 1963 Pope Paul VI lifted the ban on cremation[10]. In England and Wales, burial took place principally in churchyards until the late 19th century when advocates of cremation founded the Cremation Society of Great Britain with the aim of constructing the first crematorium. This first Act of Parliament concerning cremation in the UK was the Cardiff Corporation Act of 1894, a piece of legalisation which came about following the eccentric activities of Dr William Price. He got a son named Jesus Christ Price, however, the boy developed convulsions and died. William cremated him on the top of hill. As it was illegal, he was arrested and taken to court. Eventually, Price was indicted on three counts:

That on January 13 he had unlawfully, wilfully and indecently attempted to cremate the body of his deceased infant male child, and that he had caused indignities to the remains of the body;

that by such conduct he had caused a public nuisance and

that he had attempted to dispose of the child’s body when the coroner intended to hold an inquest upon it, without first giving notice to the coroner.

Price’s trial began on February 16, 1884, at the Glamorgan Assizes at Cardiff, and he argued his case. The trial continued, in his final speech, Price said: “When I die, if I cannot get someone to burn my body, then by God I shall somehow contrive to come back and burn myself!” The jury reached a not guilty verdict and Price was set free. On January 23, 1893, after a week’s illness, Price passed away. A week later, a group of people formed the congregation of the first officially authorised and sanctioned public cremation ceremony in Britain.

What is the truth?: Salavakkam concrete vault burials raised many questions and exposed the stereo type modus operandi. Export of skeletons, bones, bone powder and many such allegations were made. However, none knows what the police or the government has taken action against the church authorities. The account of bodies received, disposed etc., are not produced to the public, in spite of the demands made by the villagers. How one more church has been found with the same modus operandi. So what has been actually going on has to be probed. Is there any scam or illegal activity going on has to be clarified.

Church, prayer hall, prayer conducted at a house etc and the attack of such places: Secularism and communalism behind! (1)

Pentecostal Church attacked in Madurai 11-03-2018: The incident happened around 9.30 am when priest Ravi Jacob was taking part in a prayer session. “A gang of 50 men led by a religious outfit leader”, protected by a gunman, entered the church and started attacking M. Ravi Jacob[1]. A prayer home of a Pentecostal church in Sikkandar Chavadi here was vandalized and copies of the Bible were burnt, allegedly by members of a “Hindu right wing group”on Sunday 11-03-2018[2]. Another report says, “Some members, reportedly of the same group”, later went to three other prayer homes belonging to Pentecostal church in nearby areas and verbally abused the pastors and worshippers and threatened to attack the homes if they were not shut in a week[3]. Jacob, the pastor at the Sikkandar Chavadi prayer home, which is a branch of Rhema Church, said more than 10 people, including a person who had an armed policeman as his Personal Security Officer (PSO), came to the prayer home in the morning[4]. “I, my wife, two children and a few others who had come for the prayer were there. The men used abusive language and roughed up me and my wife,” he said. He alleged that they later took out copies of the Bible present at the home, along with his mobile phone and a few other belongings, and burnt them in the street[5].

Christians accused “Hindu Munnani” for attack: Corroborating his allegations, the family who owned the place, which is a small tile-roofed structure in a narrow lane, said the pastor had rented the place a couple of months ago and visited it on Sundays for prayer meetings. Jerome Jegatheesan, pastor of ‘Bethesda Varthaiyin Jeba Veedu’ prayer home in Koodal Pudur, said a group of people visited the home a couple of hours after the incident at Sikkandar Chavadi. “They abused us in filthy language and asked us to stop our activities,” he said. Sasi Sugathiya, a pastor with Living God Church, said two other prayer homes in Koodal Puthur area were also threatened on Sunday. The video of the group threatening one of the prayer homes was uploaded on Facebook by a person claiming to be a Hindu Munnani member. However, there is Christian material and burning them, but, there was no commotion, as everything was going on the road and the event was evidently recorded ny many [6]. It is appears strange, as the attacker himself to present evidence to the public to prove that he attacked or involved in such act. This is similar to earlier NDTV propaganda about the Gujarat riots where, the Hindutwa group heads were depicted as “claiming themselves with pride that they indulged in such violence.”

Police version of the attack: N. Manivannan, Madurai Superintendent of Police, said a case had been registered based on Ravi Jacob’s complaint against 10 unidentified Hindu Munnani cadre. He, said, “We have identified three persons involved in the incident. However, we are yet to arrest any of them.” On the presence of a PSO, he said the police were yet to confirm that. “If a PSO was present, it will make the identification of the accused easy,” he added. Stressing that there were no attacks on the other three prayer homes, Madurai City Commissioner of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal said the group appeared to have threatened the pastors to close the homes by claiming that they did not have permission. “We have registered cases and appropriate action will be taken swiftly,” he said. However, it can be noted that politicians like Vaiko accused police that they have registered a case against the “unidentified” persons. Therefore, it is evident that the issue of “illegal churches” has been converted into “secular” and “communal” one.

30 prayer halls in Tamil Nadu receive notice, HC stays closure of one (October 2017)[7]: District authorities have issued show-cause notice to about 30 Christian prayer halls in Coimbatore district alone, threatening to close them down for conducting prayers without prior permission. But, the Madras high court came to the rescue of one such hall, when it stayed a notice issued by a jurisdictional tahsildar to a Sulur-based prayer hall. Concurring with the submissions of P Wilson, senior counsel for the prayer hall, Justice K Ravichandrabaabu said: “The court is of the prima facie view that the petitioner is entitled to an interim relief of stay for a period of four weeks subject to the condition that under the guise of conducting prayers the petitioner shall not cause any nuisance by way to the public.” The judge then ordered notice to the tahsildar concerned and district collector returnable by four weeks. Though Selvasingh Samuel, 37, who is pastor of a prayer hall at Sultanpet in Sulur taluk in Coimbatore district, won the relief for his prayer hall, the pattern as per which the notices were slapped on similar prayer halls in the region is unmistakable. Some of the notices were identical and referred to complaints and apprehension of public order disturbances in the regions concerned. They also raised the bogey of prayer being conducted without prior permission from authorities[8].

Permission given for the construction of a residential house and not for any jamath/prayer hall/madrasa (November 2017): The activists said the complaint was a ploy so that some organisations could continue their “illegal conversions”. Police said they had received complaints from the public that some prayer homes were being running illegally and demanding that these be closed[9]. Incidentally, the Courts have delivered judgments in recent years about the construction of prayer halls, usage of house for conducting prayer etc. In one case, the judge said it has been categorically stated in the stop-work notice that the planning permission was obtained for the construction of a residential house and not for any jamath/prayer hall/madrasa[10]. When there was a specific plan accorded for construction of a residential house, the petitioners cannot deviate and hence the panchayat was right in issuing the stop-work notice and thereafter passing the impugned order of cancellation of planning approval. Proceeding with construction and claiming investment of huge amount on the same cannot be a ground to permit the construction of superstructure to stand there, the judge added[11]. Therefore, if anyone follows the secular rationale of the cases, it has to be applicable to all. However, the secular and Dravidian politicians have taken different stand of accusing the right wing group for the attack.

Complaints from the public that some prayer homes were being running illegally and demanding that these be closed (March 2018): Police said they had received complaints from the public that some prayer homes were being running illegally and demanding that these be closed[12]. This was not a law and order problem, but denial of right to worship and destruction of secularism, the Constitution and democracy, Council president Anthony Pappusamy said in a statement[13]. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Latin Bishops’ Council had condemned the attacks and said it was an effort to “chase away” Christians who had a fundamental right to worship. This was not a law and order problem, but denial of right to worship and destruction of secularism, the Constitution and democracy, Council president Anthony Pappusamy said in a statement[14]. A clip of the group reportedly threatening the persons has gone viral. A case was registered yesterday against 10 Hindu Munnani activists, of whom three have been identified. They said some of the activists, during initial questioning, denied that they had attacked the homes and had only staged protests against persons being allegedly lured for conversion. The activists said the complaint was a ploy so that some organisations could continue their “illegal conversions”. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Latin Bishops Council had condemned the attacks and said it was an effort to “chase away” Christians who had a fundamental right to worship.

Ezra Sargunam, Church planting, land grabbing, politics and communalization under the guise of secularization!

The controversial Christian priest Ezra Shargunam and his land grabbing activities: In September 2017, when there was rumour about M. Karunanidhi, Ezra Sargunam gave interview to the media and certified that[1], “I met Karunanidhi, he is doing well….He looked at me……” It was surprise for many, as why a Christian priest should have done it, particularly, when Karunanidhi has been an atheist. Of course, Ezra’s role in political circles is considered as “broking”. While Vaiko is criticized recently [this month, November 2017] for his “Christian” leanings and “crypto-Christian” activities, ironically, he himself dubbed Ezra Sargunam as “false-prophet” citing Bible[2]. He warned that people like him are tigers roaming with sheep’s skin. Thus, the role of Ezra has been intriguing on many accounts. Earlier in his book, he has openly recorded that there is nothing wrong in land grabbing[3]. That is whatever is done in the name of Jesus, it is allowed. Again, there have been court cases, involving him with land grabbing. In this context, what had happened 17 years ago in Gujarat, becomes important in the context. Interestingly, the same Ezra Sargunam played a crucial role there. He was reportedly involved in a land grabbing case, where he tried to interfere and created “law and order problem.” As he had gone there as “the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission,” the state authoties pointed out that he was out of jurisdiction and hence they could take action to arrest him for violations. Thus, he prepared to move bail to save his honour. The Gujarat Government also complained to the Government of Tamilnadu.

Karunanidhi asked Ezra Sargunam to return, as he exceeded limits: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, has asked the president of the Evangelical Society of India and chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission, Bishop Ezra Sargunam, to leave Gujarat and return home immediately, according to the Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Mr. Haren Pandya, here today [06-12-2000][4]. Mr. Pandya showed reporters a copy of the fax message sent by Mr. Karunanidhi to his Gujarat counterpart, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, urging the Bishop in Vyara hospital in Surat district, to return home[5]. The message also assured the Bishop that the issue of alleged attack on a church in Chhindia village of Vyara taluka, against which he launched an indefinite fast, could be taken up with an “appropriate authority” later. The Bishop was forcibly admitted to the Vyara Civil Hospital yesterday [05-12-2000] after his condition deteriorated.

Ezra was trying to instigate local Christians: The message, Mr. Pandya said, was in response to a request sent by the State Government pointing out that the Bishop was “trying to instigate” Christians in Chhindia village and creating a “law and order problem”. The Tamil Nadu Government was also informed that the chairman of its Minority Commission had “no jurisdiction” over Gujarat and had adopted a stance of non- cooperation with the authorities. Virtually blaming the Christians for the dispute over the church in the village, Mr. Pandya said the Government would take “stern action” against anyone found “instigating” people. It was a “deliberate scheme” of the Christians to “defame the BJP government in the State”, he claimed.

Christian plot to grab the land of a tribal: Denying knowledge of the involvement of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the incident of November 26 as alleged by the All-India Christian Council, the Minister said the land on which the “so- called church” was functioning actually belonged to Mr. Puniyabhai Ukadiabhai Kotwalia, a local tribal. Mr. Puniyabhai, who became a Christian some time ago, recently re-converted to Hinduism. On November 29, the Christian Council lodged a complaint with the Vyara police stating that a group of VHP activists “attacked the church” in Chhindia village on November 26 and “desecrated it”. Mr. Puniayabhai, meanwhile, accused Christian leaders of “forcibly entering” the “premises owned by him” and taking away the picture of a Hindu deity.

Conversion trick to create communal tension: While the Council spokesman, Mr. Samson Christian, said the piece of land was jointly owned by seven persons who together handed it over to the local Christian community for building a church in 1996, Mr. Pandya claimed that according to government records, Mr. Puniyabhai was sole owner of the land and inherited it from his father. The “church” was actually a room in his residence which he had “allowed local Christians to use as a prayer hall,” Mr. Pandya said. Mr. Christian had accused the local police of working hand-in- glove with the VHP in attacking the church in the presence of senior government officials including the District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police. Mr. Pandya said the Revenue Department gave Mr. Puniyabhai ownership of the land in June, 1992, as he was cultivating it since 1975. Under the Tenancy Act, he had no authority to sell or re-allocate it to anyone else without the prior permission of the Government and there was no question of his giving the land for construction of a church. But after Mr. Puniyabhai became a Christian in 1995, one of the rooms was used by local Christians as a prayer hall. He re-converted to Hinduism six months ago and since then has refused permission for the room to be used as a church.

Land grabbing Ezra’s style carried on in Gujarat: Contrary to Mr. Samson Christian’s claims, Mr. Pandya said a group of Christians forcibly entered the room on November 26 and removed the picture of a Hindu deity. On a complaint filed by Mr. Puniyabhai, the Vyara civil court issued a stay on December 1 against the use of the land by either sides and fixed the hearing on December 12. The issue could have been resolved earlier but for the adjournment sought twice on November 30 and December 4 by the local Christians on its hearing, Mr. Pandya claimed. He alleged that Bishop Sargunam went on an indefinite fast only after the civil court granted the stay. The Christian Council also filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court against the stay granted by the Vyara civil court. Mr. Pandya also refuted the Council’s claim that 200 Christians had migrated from the village after November 26. The Vyara social justice committee chairman along with some other officials visited the village and found that all the people were staying in their respective houses, he said. No migration had taken place as claimed by Mr. Christian, he stated and pointed out that in the village with a population of 1,500, over 75 per cent were Hindus and the rest Christians.

Local Court granted bail for Ezra, thus escaped from arrest[6]: The Vyara civil court today [14-12-2000] granted anticipatory bail to Bishop Ezra Sargunam, the national president of the Evangelical Church of India, but refused him permission to enter any place within its jurisdiction, which include Chhindia village in south Gujarat, where a church of his denomination was allegedly attacked on November 26, 2000. The Bishop, who is also the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission, had filed the anticipatory bail following a criminal complaint filed against him and a few others by the “owner” of the piece of land on which the church stood, Mr. Punyabhai Kotwalia, for allegedly “trespassing” on his property[7]. The Bishop had launched an indefinite fast in front of the church on November 29 demanding restoration of the church, which the Christians claimed was desecrated during the attack and converted into a temple. The Vyara civil court, while granting a stay on December 1 on Mr Punyabhai’s petition that the land was his “personal property,” had also directed the Bishop to stay away from Vyara taluka. The Bishop, who is still here meeting with other Christian leaders, had made it clear that he would take a decision on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi’s message to return to Chennai only “in consultation with the leaders of the secular forces.”

Ezra indulged in objectionable activities: The Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Mr. Haren Pandya, when asked about the Vyara civil court’s order, said the State Government would ensure that the court order was “strictly implemented” hinting that it would not hesitate to arrest the Bishop if he made any attempt to return to Vyara or Chhindia. The State Home Secretary, Dr V. V. Rama Subba Rao, has written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, informing him about the “objectionable activities” of the Bishop in the State. Like the Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, who wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart twice requesting him to recall the Bishop, Dr. Subba Rao has also requested the Chief Secretary to take immediate steps to ensure that the Bishop stopped “interfering” with the law and order situation in the State[8]. In fact, his refusal to leave, created tension in the area[9]. Meanwhile, the State Government has decided to make elaborate security arrangements in the south Gujarat districts to ensure peace during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. At a meeting of the district collectors and district superintendents of police of Surat, Bulsar, Navsari and Dangs districts convened here today by Mr. Pandya and Dr. Subba Rao, it was decided to deploy adequate number of state reserve police and anti-riot Rapid Action Force personnel in the four districts to assist the local police and home guards to maintain peace during the celebrations.

PTI reports from Surat: The sessions court today banned the entry of Bishops Ezra Sargunam and Fr. Raive Ishudas of Chennai into the Vyara sub- division, without the written permission from the court. According to the conditions imposed by the court on the Bishops, the orders would be applicable till the chargesheet was filed against them. The court allowed anticipatory bail applications by the Bishops and dismissed the criminal application filed by Shankarbhai Gamit of Vyara. The Vyara police was directed to enlarge the two Bishops on bail on their furnishing a solvent surity of Rs. 5000 with a personal bond for the like sum each in the event of their arrest in an offence registered by the Vyara police station. The same news was also reproduced by the Catholic news agency it its own way[10]. “An Indian court has banned a Protestant bishop from entering the area of a disputed chapel in a ruling the bishop says was politically motivated to harass Christians….. Bishop Sargunam, vice chairman of the Minorities Commission of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, said he left Gujarat after state authorities refused to meet him…….. The Protestant bishop told UCA News that he had to leave the area because of the state government´s partisan approach toward Christians. Anti-Christian attacks in Gujarat are “State-sponsored vandalism,” he said. More than 100 attacks against Christians have been reported in Gujarat in the last two years.” Thus, the persecution myth went on in their own way[11].